Wait a minute on the pumpkins, please. It’s still summer.
Late August and early September are prime beach times. It might take a little longer for the days to heat up, but the water is warmer than it was back in June, and there is still fun to be had.
So, here’s a late summer beach guide. You can find all the locations (including maps!) on the BlueWaterParent.com Beaches, Pools, and Splash Pads Guide.
Stay Awake
Parents, when you go to the beach, leave the book at home. You’ll be watching the kids, not reading or catching up on BlueWaterParent.com news stories. And definitely not taking a nap. Lake Huron beaches can have a current, so if you put your little one in a puddle-jumper, water wings, or a floatie, they could drift out far enough that they can’t touch and could be floating off to Canada before you know it. So, keep them close and don’t take your eyes off them for a minute. Life jackets are not a bad idea.
Rocks
Blue Water area beaches are great for rock hunting. Some rocks are just too pretty to leave at the beach and will end up going home with you. Talk about the fossils and look for Petoskey Stones. With the abundance of rocks can come some painful first few steps in the water. The heavier you are, the more those rocks are going to hurt your feet. Water shoes are a good investment. An old pair of tennis shoes will do in a pinch.
Pack Wisely
Pack snacks and drinks. You will stay longer than you planned.
Bring toys! A shovel and a bucket will keep kids busy for a long time. Encourage exploration and let them dig a river and build castles. Let them get covered in sand and jump back in the water to wash it all off. A mesh laundry bag works great for hauling the beach toys back and forth and most of the sand should shake off and fall out through the mesh.
Bring your phone to take pictures, but keep it sand and water-free by packing it in a clear plastic zip-top bag.
Get in the Water
You didn’t get that hot girl/guy summer body this year? Who cares. Put on the suit and get in the water with the kids. Your kids don’t care how you look in a bathing suit, and no one at the beach really cares either. If you are more comfortable with a t-shirt over your suit, go for it. Blue Water area beaches are not fashion shows. They are where families go to enjoy the amazing beauty of the lake, cool off, and make memories.
The apple orchard and pumpkin patch visits will be here soon enough; enjoy these last weeks of this glorious Michigan summer.
Story by Jennie McClelland for BlueWaterParent.com
All content is for informational and entertainment purposes only.
